Dan Bardell has praised Aston Villa for their transfer strategy after they showed an interest in signing Harley Hunt from Swindon Town.
The Villans look set to go battle with Middlesbrough and Southampton to sign the 16-year-old centre-back from the League Two outfit, according to the Daily Mail (5 July).
This follows a trend that Villa have utilised that has allowed them to buy players and sell them on at a profit to help ease PSR concerns, with Tim Iroegbunam being a recent example after he was sold to Everton.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell thinks the strategy is smart business from the club.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “The transfer strategy now is to pick off young players from other teams who are really highly rated, develop them and then sell them for pure profit.
“It is something that Villa have done well in recent seasons but in an ideal world they become good enough for the first team.
“What Villa have done well is, if someone isn’t good enough for the first team, they have developed them to a standard where they can sell them for a profit.
“Harley Hunt is the type of signing that Villa have made a lot since they returned to the Premier League which is only going to be a good thing.”
Aston Villa interested in Harley Hunt
At 16-years-old, Hunt already sits at 6ft 3in and has experience playing in a back three as well as a back four.
One other ability that has caught the eye of some top clubs is that he is able to advance into midfield on the ball due to his technical ability.
Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick may be able to offer more regular first-team football than Villa can, which may tempt the defender.
The Villans will be hopeful of landing Hunt given their recent record of signing and developing young players at Bodymoor Heath.
Just in the past year, Jaden Philogene, Cameron Archer and Aaron Ramsey have been sold by the club to ease PSR concerns.
Although this may prove positive for the club, Hunt may view this as a negative move for his career prospects.
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